VILLA DESPERATE TO KEEP BARRY

Martin O’Neill says Barry is a major part of his plans and he wants to keep him, Barry says he wants to know who Villa are buying first.

Gareth Barry is being targeted by Chelsea and Liverpool, which has given Barry something mull over at Aston Villa.

The England midfielder with 17 caps, has been at Aston Villa for ten years but before he commits to a contract extension he wants to know the pedigree of players that Martin ‘Neill intends to bring to the club.

Barry’s contract still has two years to run, but its the pressure of a bid in the summer from one of the bigger Premier League clubs that has moved O’Neill to step in and try and tie Barry to the club longer term. After all Barry nearly departed when O’Neill succeeded O’Leary as manager, so Barry does not feel he is chained to Villa.

Martin O’Neill:

It’s natural that someone who’s established himself in the England set-up and has been playing brilliantly for us, for so long, would be a possible transfer target.

Obviously, I desperately want to keep Gareth at the football club – as do the other players, the chairman and the supporters. We’re hoping to build something ourselves here.

We’re looking for this club to be challenging for honours in the not too distant future and the best way to start achieving that is by keeping our best players here.